The Feeling's lead singer Dan Gillespie-Sells, is in a good mood. He grins: "There's nothing like the feeling you get when you've put on a great show. You know, winning over the crowd and making sure everyone's got a big smile on their faces. Nothing can top that."

It's a bright Saturday afternoon and The Feeling are in London rehearsing for a huge open-air gig the following day. Gillespie-Sells is joined by his bandmates on a small sofa in their tiny, packed-out trailer as he continues: "We've always cared a lot about our live tours as they're purely for music's sake.

"It's what we like to do most. We're inspired by great bands like Queen who are natural entertainers, and that's the standard we set for ourselves."

The Feeling have had plenty of opportunity to hone their live skills – they completed more than 16 months of solid touring in May of last year, including an American tour of 30 shows in just six weeks.

Their debut album, Twelve Stops and Home, which has sold around a million so far, made them the number one most played band in the UK in 2006.

And they've had a hectic few months since the February release of their sophomore album, Join With Us, which went straight to No. 1 and earned them high profile slots at V Festival and T4 On The Beach and supporting rock giants Bon Jovi on the UK-leg of their world tour.

After all that time stuck in a tour bus, it's a wonder the five-piece aren't sick of the sight of each other by this point but they seem remarkably comfortable together.

Bass player Richard Jones puts this down to a three-month stint performing cover versions in the Alps before their career took off, saying it was "vitally important" to their bonding as a band.

And drummer Paul Stewart agrees, chipping in: "As friends and musicians, our time in the Alps sealed the line-up of the group."

Although they've long since left the covers band behind them, I can't resist asking which song they think they could best put their stamp on.
They look at each other as if nobody wants to jump in, before Stewart finally says, "There's a good song by a girl called Ida Maria, I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked."

As they all nod in agreement, he quips: "...although I don't know if I'd sound girly enough to sing that one!" "I think you could do a very good job of it," Jones grins. "Ah, thank you very much," Stewart replies.

They've never been a band to take themselves too seriously. Stewart says: "Occasionally you do see a band being interviewed and you think, 'Get over yourselves'."

Gillespie-Sells shrugs. "It's not that serious, after all. None of us are saving the world. I don't care how important you think you are as an artist, none of us are as important as a nurse, doctor, or teacher."

So is he, as the band's main lyricist, giving us any deeper message or is their music purely escapist fun? He says: "I think that if you make pop music that is lyrically very shiny and superficial it doesn't always serve a purpose.

"If you listen to a classic pop song like Super Trooper, for example, the lyrics are actually quite sad. I think over the years, successful pop music has often merged a fun sound with deeper lyrics."

Their admiration for traditional songwriters and performers means they regard TV talent shows like The X Factor with suspicion. Stewart says: "It's sad – shattering people's dreams on TV."

Stewart recalls: "I know of someone who went on one of those shows, and the producer said, 'You're really great and everything – but do you have anyone who's ill in your family? It would help you'."

Would they ever have entered such a show? They all laugh loudly, and Jones shouts: "We wouldn't get through the door!" Stewart adds, "They'd say we're too old and weird looking!"

Another artist they greatly respect is Madonna and Gillespie-Sells has strong opinions on the media criticism of Madonna for touring at 50.

"Total nonsense!" he splutters. "She can carry on singing forever if she wants to, because she has so many great tunes."

Do The Feeling see themselves still touring at 50? Jones says: "We'll continue for as long as we want. We love making music together so I can't really imagine us ever wanting to stop."

It seems not even Christmas can stop The Feeling. Although this tour ends on November 20, they insist they're unlikely to be having any kind of seasonal break. Gillespie-Sells says: "We'll probably start working on the third album straight away. We only end up writing in our spare time anyway. We're not very good at resting."

* The Feeling play Preston Guild Hall on Tuesday, November 18. Tickets are £22.50 from the box office on 01772 258858 or online at www.prestonguildhall.com